Peter was born in Bethsaida, near Lake Tiberias, the
son of John, and fished with his brother Andrew on Lake
Genesareth. He was originally called Simon. Andrew
introduced him to Jesus, who called him to become a disciple.
Once when Peter caught so many fish that the net almost broke, Jesus told him, "Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men". Jesus gave Simon a new name: Cephas (rock) and said "On this rock I shall build my church".
Jesus visited Peter's wife's mother's house to cure her of a fever. Peter was at Jesus' side at the Transfiguration, the raising of Jairus' daughter, and in the Garden of Gethsemane. He helped to organise the Last Supper and played a major role in the events of the Passion. When the Jesus was arrested, Peter cut off the right ear of a slave of the high priest Malchus. He denied Christ three times before the cock crowed twice, as the Lord predicted. Peter then "went out and began to weep bitterly".
After the Resurrection, Peter went to the tomb with the "other disciple" after being told of the event by the women. When Jesus came before the disciples at Tiberias, he gave to Peter the famous command to "Feed my lambs.... Tend my sheep.... Feed my sheep". He added: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven".
In the time immediately after the Ascension, Peter was head of the Apostles. He appointed the replacement of Judas Iscariot; he spoke first to the crowds that had assembled after the descent of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost; he was the first Apostle to perform miracles in the name of the Lord; and he rendered judgement upon the deceitful Ananias and Sapphira.
Peter was instrumental in bringing the Gospel to the Gentiles. He baptised the Roman pagan Cornelius, and at the Council of Jerusalem he gave his support to preaching to Gentiles, thus permitting the new Church to become universal.
Imprisoned by King Herod Agrippa, he was aided to escape by an angel. He then resumed his apostolate in Jerusalem. His missionary efforts included travels to Antioch, Corinth, and eventually Rome.
Peter died in Rome during the reign of Emperor Nero, probably in 64AD. According to tradition, Peter was crucified upside down because he felt unworthy to die in the same way as Jesus. He was buried on Vatican Hill. Excavations under St. Peter's Basilica have unearthed his probable tomb, and his relics are now enshrined under the high altar of St. Peter's.
While Peter's chief feast day is June 29, he is also honoured on February 22 and November 18. He is depicted as an elderly man holding a key and a book. His symbols include an inverted cross, a boat, and the cockerel.